Meridian

Reading 2 - 0 Birmingham

Danny Guthrie scored twice as Reading continued their good run with victory over a comfortable win over Birmingham, who were brought back to earth with a bump following their midweek heroics in knocking holders Swansea out of the Capital One Cup.

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he Birmingham goalkeeper was beaten again in the 75th minute. Dan Burn fouled Robson-Kanu on the edge of the area and Guthrie curled home a fine free-kick via Randolph's near post to complete** **Reading's comfortable win.

Birmingham failed to capitalise on their early superiority and Reading responded with a series of swift breaks. Garath McCleary released Pavel Pogrebnyak inside the Birmingham area but the Russian's fierce shot was well saved by Darren Randolph.

Reading's pressure finally paid off in the 32nd minute as they took the lead, albeit with a goal that was tinged with good fortune.

Chris Burke was penalised for handball and Guthrie's free-kick from wide on the left did not appear to carry too much danger. Yet it somehow found its way through a mass of bodies in the area and nestled in the far corner of Randolph's net.